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Sunday, December 9, 2012

Names to Know for the 2013 Draft v. 3.0

Several months ago, I took a look at a few names to know for the 2013 draft. There was a second version, and here is the third edition of exclusively high school draft prospects. Check it out after the jump.

Ryan Boldt

Boldt faces the issue of playing in a cold-weather state. Hailing from Minnesota, teams and scouts have a hard time getting a handle on his true talent thanks to his lack of exposure coming out of the north. Boldt has been able to remedy his lack of exposure somewhat, playing for the 18-and-under USA national team.

Boldt hit leadoff on that squad, and that's where he projects as a future pro. He has the speed to be a threat on the bases and man centerfield defensively. In addition, he showcases a smooth left-handed swing. Boldt has solid, although not elite tools, but he's also fairly raw. The team that selects him next June will have to keep him from going to Nebraska, not really known as a baseball superpower. They will also bank on him developing to take advantage of a solid all-around tool package into an above-average major league leadoff hitter. At the moment, Boldt isn't really in top 10 pick consideration, but he could definitely sneak into the back end of the first round.

Ian Clarkin

An argument can be made that Clarkin is the top prep lefty in the 2013 draft class, which will always generate interest from teams come draft day. Clarkin has pretty good heat for a southpaw, as he can run his fastball up to 93 mph. In addition, Clarkin has the makings of two solid secondaries in a curveball and changeup. Both pitches project to be at least average in the future.

Clarkin was actually Boldt's teammate for the USA 18-and-under national team and represented himself well playing for his country. However, at times Clarkin's command would leave him and he would become erratic with his fastball. Despite that, the prep lefty's pure stuff will bring teams knocking come June - possibly in the top 10 spots of the draft - in an effort to add Clarkin to their farm system at the expense of his commitment to San Diego.

Stephen Gonsalves

If Clarkin isn't the top prep lefty in the 2013 draft class, it would be his fellow Californian Stephen Gonsalves. In fact, Gonslaves also shares a college commitment with Clarkin, as both have a chance to end up on San Diego's campus this coming fall. However, given both players draft status, that chance is extremely low. Gonsavles has the stuff and potential to be one of the first players to hear his name called come June. Gonsalves features the prototypical projectable build, standing at 6'5 while not even weighing 200 pounds. That frame suggests Gonsalves could add muscle and grow into more velocity. That's particularly exciting considering he already touches 93 with his heater that generally sits in the 88-91 mph range. To complement his fastball, Gonsalves also throws a changeup that already flashes plus as well as a fringy slurve. Like the previous two players on this list, Gonsalves has also been a part of the USA 18-and-under national team. That experience has done Gonsalves well as he shows good polish and pitchability for a prep pitcher.

Andy McGuire

McGuire combines a solid, stocky frame with impressive bat speed to create usable above-average power. As he continues to physically mature, McGuire could have plus power down the road. In addition to having power coveted by teams, McGuire's bat speed allows him to cover the plate well and gives him the chance to hit for average in the future.

Defensively, McGuire will almost assuredly be forced to move to off shortstop as he grows bigger. Most likely, McGuire will move to the hot corner and he could be average or better at third base thanks to solid athleticism. As it stands, the native Virginian is the type of prospect that is reminiscent of Javier Baez, although he's not nearly on that level yet. Thus far, a hip injury has prevented him from showcasing his true potential. However, now that McGuire is fully healthy, he is definitely a prospect to keep track of over the spring and summer. A strong showing could rocket McGuire up draft boards and squarely into the first round come June.

Cord Sandberg

Sandberg is a great athlete, as evidenced by the fact that he is a two-sport high school star in Florida. The prep outfielder is committed to Mississippi State for both baseball and football, where he's expected to play quaterback as one of the top dual threat recruits in the entire country. Sandberg's athleticism along with his strong arm allow him to be a strong defensive outfielder, although he might fill out and be forced to move to a corner outfield spot.
Offensively, Sandberg is raw at the plate with a bit of an uppercut swing. That swing, along with Sandberg's raw strength give him present above-average power with the potential for plus power in the future. That said, the native Floridian will have to refine his swing and plate discipline to top into that power. Sandberg's status as an elite quarterback recruit will make him a difficult sign come June, especially if he doesn't get picked in the first round, which is a possibility. Despite that, Sandberg is still an intriguing name to watch this spring into the summer.